Human Behavioural Scientist at Defence Science and Technology Laboratory in Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire
About the role
Job summary
Are you passionate about understanding how people interact with technology and how human behaviour influences cyber security outcomes?
Dstl is seeking a Human Behavioural Scientist to join a multidisciplinary team delivering cutting-edge research at the intersection of behavioural science, human-computer interaction and emerging technologies. In this role, you will help shape the UK's response to some of the most significant defence and national security challenges by investigating how people engage with digital systems, respond to cyber threats and interact with increasingly complex technologies, including AI-enabled systems.
Why join us?
Working collaboratively with colleagues across government, industry and academia, you will design and deliver research that improves understanding of human behaviour in cyber environments and informs the development of safer, more effective technologies. You will apply evidence-based approaches to explore user needs, human performance, decision-making and the human factors that influence cyber resilience.
This is an exciting opportunity for someone with expertise in behavioural science, human-computer interaction, human factors, user experience, interaction design or a related field who wants to see their research translated into real-world impact. You will be encouraged to develop your professional expertise while contributing to nationally important programmes in a supportive and collaborative environment.
This role is eligible for an additional specialist allowance of £2758 annually subject to meeting extended onboarding requirements. The role may be eligible for additional skills allowances depending on the skills and experience of the applicant.
Job description
What you'll do;
- Design, plan and deliver behavioural science and human-computer interaction research within the cyber domain.
- Lead or contribute to research projects, trials and experimental studies from concept through to completion.
- Apply specialist knowledge of human behaviour, cognition and interaction with digital technologies to solve complex defence and security challenges.
- Assess evidence and provide recommendations that support informed decision-making.
- Evaluate how people interact with cyber systems, AI-enabled technologies and digital environments.
- Produce high-quality technical reports, presentations and research outputs for a range of audiences.
- Work closely with colleagues, customers and stakeholders across Dstl, government, industry and academia.
- Support innovation and continuous improvement by sharing expertise and identifying new research opportunities.
- Ensure all work is delivered to appropriate quality, safety and security standards.
For more information on the job responsibilities, please see the job profile attached below.
Person specification
What we're looking for
- A degree in Human and Behavioural Science, Human Factors, Human-Computer Interaction or a related discipline.
- A postgraduate qualification (or equivalent professional experience) in a relevant field.
- Experience applying behavioural science and human-computer interaction principles to understand how people use digital technologies.
- Experience designing and delivering qualitative and/or quantitative research.
- Strong knowledge of behavioural science, human-computer interaction and related methodologies.
- The ability to communicate complex technical concepts, research findings and recommendations clearly to different audiences.
- Experience working collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
- An understanding of emerging digital technologies and their impact on human behaviour.
- Strong analytical skills and the ability to translate evidence into practical recommendations.
For more information the essential criteria, please see the job profile attached below.
Important Information:
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats.
For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
This role will require Develop Vetting and you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
Qualifications
A degree (BSc) in Human and Behavioural Sciences, or related discipline, with expertise in Human-Computer Interaction. A post-graduate qualification (MSc) in Human and Behavioural Sciences, or related discipline, with expertise in Human-Computer Interaction.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Changing and Improving
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £31,663, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes
£9,172 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
Benefits
Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:
- Financial : An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution ( find out more here ). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
- Flexible working : Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours, job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).
- Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
- Where you work: This role requires a minimum of 80% on site attendance.
- Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
- Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
- Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
- Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
Things you need to know
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.
At the application stage, we will assess your submitted application against the essential criteria set out in the job profile.
Sifting will take place week commencing the 9th of November 2026 with interviews taking place from the 23rd November 2026
Your interview will consist of behavioural and technical competency-based questions. You will also be required to deliver a 10-minute presentation. Further details for the presentation will be provided to candidates invited to interview.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window) .
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window) .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window) .
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the
Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window)
and the
Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .
Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available.
You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Cyber Recruitment Team
- Email : cyberrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Further information
Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.
- Attachments
- Cyber Behavioural Scientist L4 Opens in new window (pdf, 206kB)
- Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 4978kB)
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